An electronic newsletter for
the science education community
May 2004
Dear colleague,
2061 Connections is a new electronic newsletter from AAAS Project 2061 designed to help us share our work with the science, mathematics, and technology education community. This premiere issue is sent to you because our records show that you are an involved member of that community. However, should you rather not receive 2061 Connections, or if it has come to you in error, please let us know and we will promptly delete your e-mail address from our files. If you are interested, please continue reading.
Since its founding in 1985, Project 2061 has focused its efforts on helping all American students achieve literacy in science, mathematics, and technology. Today, the need for sound information and proven strategies for improving teaching and learning in these areas has never been greater. At the same time, the scope of Project 2061’s research and development efforts is broader than ever, with major initiatives underway to improve professional development in mathematics, prepare new graduate and postdoctoral leadership in science curriculum R&D, and assure the quality and alignment of science and mathematics assessments. We are also engaged in public outreach partnerships with museums and science centers and in designing and providing access to vast collections of digital resources for K-12 science education.
Our hope is that 2061 Connections will be a timely and convenient way for you to find out more about the work we are doing; what we are learning; and how our findings, tools, and resources can be applied in your own efforts. We hope you enjoy our first issue and look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions.
Jo Ellen Roseman
Director
AAAS Project 2061
In this issue
- A Jump-Start for New Science Textbook Development
- Making a Difference in Middle Grades Mathematics: A Goals-Based Approach
- High-Quality Assessment Items on the Horizon
I. A Jump-Start
for New Science Textbook Development
With a multiyear grant from the National Science Foundation,
Project 2061 is helping educators, curriculum materials developers,
and publishers to take advantage of the growing body of knowledge
about how students learn science concepts and skills. Targeting
areas where most curriculum materials fall short and where there
are opportunities for materials to help students make significant
gains in their science learning, Project 2061 is creating a unique
online collection of reference tools and curriculum building blocks—all
aligned to national and state content
standards and based on the most relevant research. Read the
full story.
II.
Making a Difference in Middle Grades Mathematics: A
Goals-Based Approach
What kinds of interventions are most likely
to improve mathematics achievement
for students in the middle grades? Project
2061 is leading a research team in search
of empirical evidence on what works best. Learn more.
III. High-Quality
Assessment Items on the Horizon
Building on its experience in evaluating science
and mathematics assessment, Project 2061 is working
to provide high-quality assessment items that are precisely
aligned to content standards. With new funding from
the National Science Foundation, Project 2061 is developing
an online collection of more than 300 middle and early
high school science and mathematics assessment items,
which will be electronically linked to national and
state content standards. Learn
more.